Progressive stencil printing

Abstract

A progressive stencil printing system and method for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body is described. The system relates to a continuous stencil printing apparatus that can print encapsulant on different types of inkjet printhead bodies and clean the stencil during production.

1. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body; 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and 
 a cleaning device positioned downstream of the encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said film, 
 
     wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body. 
   
   
     2. The stencil printing system of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning device comprises a cleaning blade that contacts the film at an angle to remove residual encapsulant from the film. 
   
   
     3. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body; 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and 
 an optical sensor, the optical sensor capable of detecting features on the stencil indicative of a parameter selected from the group consisting of location, timing, identity and combinations thereof 
 
     wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body. 
   
   
     4. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body; 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and 
 a means for identifying a type of printhead body to be printed 
 
     wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body. 
   
   
     5. The stencil printing system of  claim 4  wherein said means comprises data input to a controller by an operator. 
   
   
     6. The stencil printing system of  claim 4  wherein said means comprises a controller including automated means for identifying a type of printhead body. 
   
   
     7. The stencil printing system of  claim 6  wherein said automated means comprises an image-capture device or scanner. 
   
   
     8. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body; 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils; and 
 a cleaning bath disposed downstream of said encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said stencil, said cleaning bath containing a solvent, 
 
     wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body. 
   
   
     9. The stencil printing system of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning bath is an ultrasonic solvent bath. 
   
   
     10. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body, 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils, and 
 at least one of an optical sensor capable of detecting features on the stencil indicative of a parameter selected from the group consisting of location, timing, identity and combinations thereof, and a means for identifying a type of printhead body to be printed 
 wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body and wherein each of the first and second printhead bodies includes a nozzle plate. 
 
   
   
     11. A stencil printing system for applying encapsulant onto an inkjet printhead body comprising:
 a stencil film comprising a first stencil pattern and a second stencil pattern, each of the stencil patterns corresponding to a pattern of encapsulant adhesive to be applied onto an inkjet printhead body, 
 a first drive device coupled to the stencil film to move the film along a given path; 
 an encapsulant-dispensing device for applying encapsulant to a printhead body through one of the first and second stencils, and 
 at least one of a cleaning device positioned downstream of the encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said film and a cleaning bath disposed downstream of said encapsulant dispensing device for removing residual encapsulant from said stencil, said cleaning bath containing a solvent 
 wherein the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the first stencil onto a first printhead body and the encapsulant-dispensing device applies encapsulant through the second stencil onto a second printhead body and wherein each of the first and second printhead bodies includes a nozzle plate.